Just over a month ago, the MMA star's father passed away after a heart attack. Many have since wondered when and if Khabib Nurmagomedov will return to the sport. But now it is clear that he will play a title match in lightweight against the American Justin Gaethje on October 24.
Nurmagomedov has been the holder of the champion belt in lightweight since April 2018 and has never lost in his 28 matches. Opponent Gaethje has meanwhile the star been away had a so-called intermin belt, a temporary champion belt in the class. Now he gets the chance to fight for the real belt after defeating Tony Ferguson in May.
Just Ferguson would have played a title match against Nurmagomedov in the spring, but the match was canceled due to travel restrictions during the pandemic.